Sporting KC's first match of the 2015 preseason will kick off on Jan. 31 -- three months from today -- against the Portland Timbers at Kino North Stadium in Tucson, Arizona. Preseason hosts FC Tucson announced the full schedules for the 2015 Desert Friendlies and 2015 Desert Diamond Cup on Friday with Sporting Kansas City slated to participate in both competitions.
Now in it’s third year, the Desert Friendlies will feature five MLS teams playing from Jan. 31 to Feb. 12. The fifth annual Desert Diamond Cup will also feature five MLS teams, along with FC Tucson, playing on four match dates from Feb. 18 to Feb. 28.
Sporting Kansas City will prepare for its first season in the Western Conference since 2004 by playing four opponents from the West during the preseason, highlighted by a showdown with Supporters' Shield holders Seattle Sounders FC on Feb. 21. The 2015 MLS season will begin in March with all 20 teams playing a 34-game regular season schedule.
2015 Desert Friendlies Schedule (times, match-ups subject to change)
Saturday, January 31
6:00 p.m. MT: Portland Timbers vs. Sporting KC, Kino North Stadium
Monday, February 09
10:30 a.m. MT: Sporting KC vs. FC Tucson, Kino North Stadium
Closed to the public
2015 Desert Diamond Cup Schedule (times, match-ups subject to change)
Wednesday, February 18
5:30 p.m. MT: Colorado Rapids vs. Sporting KC, Kino North Stadium
Saturday, February 21
8:00 p.m. MT: Seattle Sounders FC vs. Sporting KC, Kino North Stadium
Wednesday, February 25
8:00 p.m. MT: Real Salt Lake vs. Sporting KC, Kino North Stadium
Saturday, February 28
5th Place vs. 6th Place, Kino North Stadium
3rd Place vs. 4th place, Kino North Grand Stand
1st Place vs. 2nd Place, Kino North Stadium
General admission tickets for the MLS preseason game dates are $18 and can be purchased online at
shop.fctucson.com
. For $18, fans can catch single games or double headers during the Desert Friendlies and triple headers during the Desert Diamond Cup. Out of town guests are invited to learn more about the beauty and energy of Tucson and purchase MLS preseason hotel, ticket and experience packages at
MLSPreseason.com
.
Kino Sports Complex is the largest sports and entertainment venue in Pima County. The home of FC Tucson includes a 1,000-seat North Grandstand soccer field and the featured 2,900-seat North Stadium, as well as an 11,000-seat Kino Veterans Memorial Stadium. The North side of the complex includes four additional professional caliber soccer fields.
The 2015 preseason will mark the fifth straight year in which Sporting Kansas City travels to Tucson for training and competition. In the tournament's inaugural edition, Sporting KC were crowned champions of the 2011 Desert Diamond Cup with more than 10,000 fans in attendance for the team's 2-2 draw against the New York Red Bulls.
